2018 Gifts to Inspire Future Scientists

Our own miniature geniuses participated in randomized trials to test the effectiveness of this year’s must-have STEM toys.

The children studied were at risk for becoming nerds, but not yet enrolled in AP classes. The results of the 2018 Must Have STEM Toys trial showed a short-term trend in boredom reduction that diminished over the 27-minute study period. Some self-reported behaviors did show improvement: Children in the group showed signs of critical thinking and problem solving skills that may help them be accepted to the MIT class of 2027.

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I am the creative force behind Edge for Scholars and a Program Manager for the Office of Clinical and Translational Scientist Development at Vanderbilt. I also serve as the editor of The Cutting Edge e-newsletter.
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Thanks! Great list! Bought two of the items on this list for my younger kids, as well as a few other sciencey gifts for my teenager (my 13-year-old checks his wrapped presents with a geiger counter, rather than shaking them…).